HNAC Rivalry Ready to Explode!

It is a high school football rivalry the North Judson San Pierre Bluejays (2-2) have dominated over the last 35 years, but the Winamac Warriors (1-3) look to turn things in their favor, as they head to Liberty Field to take on the Bluejays in Hoosier North Athletic Conference play!

With both teams coming off devastating losses a week ago, the Warriors and Jays need this win badly to get back on track as Indiana heads into the second half of the season. The Bluejays were handed a 35-7 loss to cross-county rival Knox last week, while the Warriors fell victim to a strong Laville team 35-6.

“First of all it’s Winamac” North Judson Head Coach Brett Lambert said when asked what has him excited about this week’s game. “It’s a Sectional opponent, it’s a Conference opponent” Lambert continued, “there’s a lot of reasons to get excited. Our team is excited to play them, but I know Winamac is going to be excited to play us too”.

The Bluejay players have been taking the challenge of this rivalry in serious fashion throughout the course of this week. “Practices have been really good” commented lineman Dylan Marin. “We’ve been working really hard and we’re hoping just to come out with a ‘W'”. In preparation for the big rivalry game, Marin said “We’ve been trying to hit hard, perfect everything, and just get everyone to play hard”.

The Winamac Warriors understand the importance of focusing on basics as well. “One of the main focuses for us is fundamentals”, said Winamac veteran Keith Dell. “We can’t sit back on a play, or go hard on this play, then not do good on the next play” Dell continued. “We’re just focused on consistency and fundamentals really”.

Teammate Kyle Olds agrees with Dell that this week needs to be about the fundamentals. “We’re just working on the fundamentals” Olds said. “Just trying to play hard-nosed football. I think we’re playing more as a team this year” Olds continued. “We’re all one group this year. We’re not separate.”

One of the best all-around athletes seen in our area week-in and week-out is Senior running back and linebacker Gabe Townsend. “We’re trying to keep things more simple and play fundamental ball” said Townsend. “We’re just trying to get back to fundamental football”.

A year ago, the Bluejays found themselves on the winning side of a lopsided 56-6 score at Roudebush Field in Winamac. The Warriors would love nothing more than to return the favor this year at Liberty Field. In the previous matchup between these two rivals at North Judson back in 2017, Winamac Head Coach Craig Barr saw his Warriors take care of business with extreme passion, as the Warriors topped the Bluejays by a final score of 48-7. Will the tables in this old rivalry turn back in favor of the Warriors? Or will the Bluejays make Liberty Field a prison of devastation for the opposition from Pulaski County?

Friday night will give us the answer…